Diamonds are a girl’s best friend
SIG’s P250 Diamond plate design on the upper receiver.
I’m a big fan of my SIG Sauer P238. I carry it more than any other firearm I own. It was my first SIG firearm, but I knew it wouldn’t be my last. Consequently, I’m also a big fan of diamond plate. As a matter of fact, I have my basement decorated with diamond plate accents, and at one time I even had personal checks with the design. I don’t know why I am so attracted to diamond plate … maybe because it’s shiny and I have the attention span of a gnat? When I happened upon a picture of a SIG Sauer P250 Modular Pistol in diamond plate finish, I couldn’t wait to try one.
The SIG® P250 Diamond Plate pistol has the following features:
- Comes in 9mm
- Double action only
- Trigger pull = 5.5 – 6.5 pounds
- Barrel length = 3.9 inches
- Magazine capacity = 15 rounds
- SIGLITE® night-sights
- Interchangable polymer grips
- Accessory rail
- Grip size and calibers are interchangeable
- MSRP = $667
Double action dread
I should mention that I avoid purchasing double-action-only firearms, but the diamond plate design on the P250 made me reconsider my rigid stance. My aversion to double-action-only pistols began 15 years ago when my agency switched from double action/single action to a straight double action only. The first time I fired the double-action-only firearm, we practiced about 150-200 rounds before shooting a qualification. By the last five rounds of a 50-round qualification, I didn’t have the strength to pull the trigger. I qualified, but I still have episodic nightmares detailing a life or death situation requiring me to fire my weapon and I can’t pull the trigger back to its break point, no matter how hard I try. Still, even with the scars of my first double-action-only pistol, I decided to try out the SIG P250; after all, it has half the trigger weight compared to my last one.
Double-action discovery
It takes less than two minutes to completely tear down the P250 and make it ready for conversion, and even less time to put it back together.
The first thing that I noticed wile shooting the SIG P250 is that I haven’t shot a double-action firearm in a long time! I know this because I didn’t shoot very well. This made me realize that perhaps my firearms inventory needs a double-action-only pistol. The benefit of having such a firearm is similar to the benefits one gets with dummy rounds — it exposes a shooter’s bad habits and also amplifies weaknesses. I noticed in myself an overall lack of patience, and at times, anticipation of recoil. I was surprised that after not firing a double-action-only pistol in about a decade, it forced me to revisit my shooting fundamentals.
Caliber X-Change Kits
SIG’s P250 is modular, and it’s quite different from the classic line of SIG pistols. Although I have not purchased or tested any of the conversion kits, I plan on doing so in the future. SIG sells the P250 Caliber X-Change Kit for the P250 for $285. It allows you to disassemble the pistol and reassemble it with the X-Change Kit’s barrel/slide assembly, grip module and magazine. Kits are available in full, compact or subcompact in 9mm, .357SIG, .40 S&W and .45 ACP.
Each kit contains these features:
• Slide (Nitron® finish only)
• Grip module assembly
• Recoil spring and guide
• SIGLITE® night sights
• Magazine included
Easy take down and conversion
I found it refreshing that the SIG P250 tears down without the use of any tools. The installation of the conversion kit appears much more simple than the take down of SIG’s classic line pistol. In order to convert the P250 to another size, you execute a basic cleaning take down, followed by removal of the take-down lever. After that, removal of the internal parts is as simple as manipulating the hammer and pulling them out. The internal parts are self-contained and come out as one piece. SIGs aren’t typically the easiest of all pistols to tear down, so the P250 was a pleasant surprise.
Once apart, the P228 has far more pieces and tools than the P250.
If you have ever completely torn down one of SIG’s classic pistols, you probably know that it can be challenging at first! I was certified as a SIG classic pistol armorer last week. It was one of the more complex armorers’ courses I have taken. My struggles were due in part to the fact that this course is typically a two-day course, and I did in one. Still, SIG’s classic pistols require the use of several specialized tools to completely tear them down. I don’t know if it’s just me, but I never enjoy taking a hammer to my firearms, even though it is frequently necessary. The ability to convert the P250 without any tools, and with such ease, is a vast improvement and I look forward to purchasing a conversion kit.
No wonder!
Even though I detest shooting double-action-only pistols, I confess SIG’s P250 Diamond Plate won me over. The ease in take down and conversion further sold me on this product. After experiencing the P250, I am not surprised that it received two Golden Bull’s Eye Awards from the National Rifle Association in 2009.
Sara Ahrens’ Offbeat is sponsored by Armed in Stilettos.
I am new to firearms.
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Could you detail the “fundamentals” you were referring to above-
“forced me to revisit my shooting fundamentals”
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As for “My View” of the sig P250 simply – ” LUV IT ! !”
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The P250sc is real comfortable.
I like the feel and smoothness of the
trigger and ease of racking. As one having some “carpal tunnel ”
irritation and pain along with fingers that don’t always work perfectly
(maybe slight arthritis), I have found the sig P250 to be the best
and most hassle-free firearm to operate with ease, on a consistant
basis.
So many others (firearms) I looked at and operated at local shops, were just
too hard to rack or operate locks, safeties, or mag releases EVEN
when hands were working reasonably well. They would not have been
much use or able to be operated, when my hands are having issues
with strength and pain.
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The P250 sig with its variety of frame sizes, grip sizes and calibers
and “EASE of USE”
in my opinion, is well suited for home defense / personal protection.
MC, Shooting fundamentals include: Grip, Sight Picture, Sight Alignment, Breath Control, Hold Control, Trigger Control and Follow Through. The longer the trigger press the more that can fall apart with these fundamentals because the shooter is cocking and releasing the hammer. Since I don’t shoot DAO firearms, I had to slow down/revisit the fundamentals of trigger control – the pressing of the trigger without moving the sights by gradually increasing pressure to the trigger in a way that the shot comes as a surprise. This was initially problematic because I have been accustomed to breaking the shot sooner. This fact also affected my follow through. It took some slowing down and minor adjustments to recognize that with a longer trigger pull I must have more patience. I think that I found changing it up, made me remember that which has become automatic.
Thanks for your input, I do not have issues with hand strength (ANYMORE…since my horrible experience long ago!) or injury so it is good to know as an instructor that you found this firearm to be easy to manipulate. Having taught people who have similar issues/ailments it is good to be able to reference your feedback to those students looking for a firearm with which they can have success.
Thanks Sara for the follow-up thoughts.
I no doubt could use some knowledge and education (and practice) as it applies to utilizing proper breathing technique, sight picture, sight alignment, ect. which will
help me hit the target where I want- consistantly.
I can see where it might be easier for a person – going from shooting a DAO
Revolver to The Sig p250, than it might be for someone that shoots a
DA/SA or SA pistol regularly, simply because of the loooooong trigger pull
and full release needed to reset trigger – so the next round can be fired.
For those interested in getting a p250;
Here are a few things I learned as I was researching the Sig P250 for myself.
There is what is referred to as a “Gen 1” and “Gen 2” Sig P250.
A Gen 2 (made since about early 2011) seems to be best. Gen 1 can be upgraded.
There are ways to tell the difference– Externally and Internally ( LOOK AT BOTH!)
You can have a mixed Gen 1 and Gen2 firearm.
EXTERNALLY – There are differences one can easily see between the look and
styling of the Gen 1 and Gen 2 grip module (frame)
1 of them is – Gen 2 has a cutout at bottom of grip for easier magazine removal.
INTERNALLY- Trigger/ Hammer assy. (FCU) has the serial number on it. ( It is LEGALLY “the GUN”) Not the grip module/frame.
Gen 1 serial number prefix “EAU”
Gen 2 serial number prefix currently “EAK”
A Gen 1 FCU can be X changed (Swapped) into a Gen 2 grip /slide assy. and vice versa.
Sig p250 Compact models- seem to have a PLASTIC guide rod surrounded
by the recoil spring for the Slide. The plastic rods can apparently crack or break.
Older ones were REALLY cheap looking and quality. Steel upgrades are available.
The p250 sub compacts and full size models I believe all have steel guide rods.
For more details (type) “Sig P250 plastic guide rods” or “sig p250 generation differences” into an internet search and find out more.
Stay Safe!